[ Today's Readings ]
In Advent we often get distracted by our own preparations. We hear the Baptist cry to prepare the way of the LORD and get busy with a million personal projects to do so. Or we berate ourselves for not doing so. Advent feels like work. But it is meant to be restorative. It can be, if we let it.
Jesus said to the crowds:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
We are busy this time of year, aren't we? We labor. We are heavily burdened with so much to do. What Jesus asks of us in preparing for his coming isn't to drown ourselves in more work. It is rather to come to him and discover rest and peace. How can we have peace even amidst all that is going on?
He gives strength to the fainting;
for the weak he makes vigor abound.
Though young men faint and grow weary,
and youths stagger and fall,
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar as with eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint.
To experience this strength we need to make sure that the yoke we bear is the yoke of Jesus and not a self-assigned yoke.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.
His yoke is easy because he carries it with us. We are stronger, therefore, than we can possibly be without him.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
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